NFL Draft – CB Rankings
Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
25.) Ross Cockrell, Duke (6’0, 191): Cockrell is underrated because he played at a non-traditional football school, but Duke was a pretty darn good football team last tear. Cockrell is a three-year starter with good speed and solid coverage skills. He’s not a big time play-maker but he has the fluidity to stick with receivers and the height to match up with the taller ones. Cockrell should have value right away as a 3rd or 4th corner in sub packages and could eventually develop into a solid #2 CB. Draft projection: 5th-6th round
26.) Bennett Jackson, Notre Dame (6’0, 195): Good size and ran well at the combine (4.51) but needs to improve his coverage technique. Best suited for a zone coverage scheme right now, but will excel on special teams while developing as a corner. Jackson is an excellent tackler so could possibly be moved to safety if he can’t hack it at CB. Draft projection: 5th-7th round
27.) Andre Hal, Vanderbilt (5’10, 188): All-SEC corner who played well against the top receivers in the conference. Hal is smooth in coverage, but gets beat deep too often and is a non-factor against the run. Should be a solid 3rd-4th corner off the bat with the potential to develop into a solid #2. Draft projection:7th round – UFA
28.) Bene Benwikere, San Jose St (5’11, 195): Good cover guy with solid instincts and ball skills, but a liability against the run and can be dominated physically by bigger receivers. Benwikere can contribute in sub packages off the bat, but it will probably take a season or two before he is ready for anything more than that. Draft projection: 5th-7th round
29.) Victor Hampton, South Carolina (5’9, 197): His 4.7 40 at the combine might drop him to day 3 in the draft. Hampton is under-sized but very strong for a DB and plays with an aggressive style that some teams prefer. He won’t get away with muscling receivers like he did at the college level, but he’s athletic enough to adapt. Hampton will need some time and coaching before he can contribute at the NFL level, but he will have value in the right scheme. He has had off-field issues during his college career and a recent arrest on April 6th for disorderly conduct isn’t going to help his draft status. Draft projection: 4th-5th round
30.) Ricardo Allen, Purdue (5’9, 187): Cocky, aggressive corner with good ball skills. Due to his lack of size, he struggles with big receivers but is a strong defender against those 6 foot and under. Ideal skill-set for a nickel back and he has the swagger and short memory necessary to be a successful corner in the league. Allen ran a slower than expected 4.61 40 at the combine, but had an excellent pro day posting a 4.46 40-time and a 37″ vertical leap and putting himself back in the day 3 mix. Draft projection:7th round – UFA
31.) Chris Davis, Auburn (5’10, 202): Will always be famous for his 109-yard TD return that shocked #1 ranked Alabama and for giving up the winning touchdown in the NCAA championship game, but if he ever wants to be known for anything in the NFL, Davis will need to clean up his technique in coverage. Davis is way too handsy and over aggressive in coverage, but does have elite speed and better strength then you would expect from his small frame. He can run with anybody but is consistently out of position and his aggression can be easily taken advantage of with double moves. Davis’ best chance to stick in the league is as a kick/punt returner and with his explosiveness he could be a great one, but he will have to drastically improve his coverage technique if he is going to see the field on defense. Draft projection: 4th-5th round